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Topic: What do you do with a 2006, 115k DMax,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, (Read 14115 times)

I bought this truck new in 2006 after the insurance paid off after a garage fire. I actually bought a 1500hd first with the 6ltr gas but it never had the power or mileage I desired. So I traded it in for 5k less than I bought it for, which I thought was a good. Finding the Dmax I wanted was no trouble, but getting the $$ I wanted for it was.

The 1500hd was the same color and trim but had the 9.5 rear. Best I ever got in mileage was 16 coming back from LA and driving like a baby.

On both you may notice the truck is not stock height. I had added the Cognito UCA to the 1500 with Bilstien 5100's and they swapped right over to the DMax alone with 3 inch rear blocks.

Sure may you have cranked up the UCAs for a little more clearance which is OK for about 2 inches. After that you loose down travel and the "ride" of the vehicle. By adding after market UCAs arms you gain more travel both ways and it improves the geometry in the process.

for sale: 2006 gmc sierra 2500HD 4x4pewter, leveled, aftermarket tires and rims, old man camper shell, never driven over 55MPH because I live in CA and im a little scared of all the power, water/meth tank in the bed. ill take 10K for it, first one to make an offer can get it for 9K.............any takers?

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Nate

Give me coffee for the things I can change and Bourbon for the things I cannot!

Played with tuners starting with the Diablo that really worked good, but you always want more.

Next step was EFI live and I played with swapping and modding tunes a little. Still a little above my head but I turned off some of the "reporting" and trouble CEL lights. For instance the EGR was "fixed" and the PCV was rerouted.

I also installed a transgo jr kit and adjusted for the larger tires and top end speed. I think it is 125mph, but have never got that far, but well over 100 for sure.

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Retired LEO Lifetime NRA+ Outcast in Calif

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants"

I was heavy into RC aircraft at this time and got a trailer I was going to build into a toy hauler/repair station. The sub had served well for this hobby but was just a 1/2 ton. It did however get me to San Diego a few times as well as LV, Grand Canyon and a couple trips up to Canada.

I added a nice shell that had been on the 1500hd and a Bedslider. Bedsliders are cool and just a lighter version of what you see in many emergency vehicles. You loose a tad of strorage but gain so much much versatilty!!!

Ran the Nitto's for some time then ran the Yokahamo Geolanders. I really liked those tires but they had a funny harmonics at around 65-70. Best tire I ever drove in snow. Drove Got threw the roadblocks on I 80 during snow storm and drove the 75 miles with hardly a hitch. I even tried to break em loose in the snow and they were solid!

I am confused... I see three different wheel sets and three different side mirrors sets. I know you said you did this over 9 years, but where are we in the build progress so far? Did you get it new and it now has 115K and you are thinking of doing another change? Or is this a summary of changes from the past? Either way it looks awesome!

In keeping with my model plane hobby. I wanted a trailer to build for shows and repairs (I was/am really big into this). So I ordered up a custom trailer and went to Las Vegas to pick it up (any excuse will do, right!!)

It was 20ftx8.5ft with HD axels and led lighting. I took it to a few shows and was about to make it a real TH. But family took over little and I sold it for what I paid. I had added a nice alum box up front with 2 deep cycle batteries, roof AC, awning, a 3000 watt generator, Fridge and 2000watt inverter.

For repairs I had 2 Craftsman benches, mini lathe and mill with tools and supply's for anything!!

LOL- two foot-itus hits a saturation point and then reverses flow! That's why parents sell their home and "down size" so the birds can't re occupy the nest!

We have a 28' with a slide- very comfortable for the three of us and room for a guest of our daughters or two; beyond that, you gotta REALLY like someone to cram any more in it! Water discipline usually keeps that at bay, as most don't realize they're not at home where a running faucet is a non-issue!

Spent thursday at Ice House lake right near the entrance to the rubicon. Kids had a blast in their kayaks, caught a few little fish and beat the 108 heat down in the valley.

Darn cat would even go outside!!

Heard a rattle on the front of the dmax going up, so when the kids played I jacked up the left side. Found another bad upper ball joint (heard it last week at Lassen). This is the second one in 2 years. Called Napa and got a couple Spicers for it vs the Moogs that just don't seem to last.

I think you probably know thin, but are you getting enough aerobic exercise? A cardiologist friend of mine makes me do 45 min a day. I cheat, but get 4 days a week done.

The reason I mention it is when the pump starts to lose efficiency, it first manifests in the ankles, as in swelling. Weaker heart can't move fluids as well and they begin to collect in the lower extremities.

By no means get alarmed or anything, just want to cover the bases, that's all.

Question for you, back on the makeover topic. Have you done the pump run fix yet, or are you like me, on borrowed time?I ask because I'm approaching 200k without doing it yet. I believe it is due to my miles coming in very large chunks as opposed to city stop and go. I have the kit sitting on my bench, for about 50k now. Lol. I really need to get at it I suppose.

I am on borrowed time on the case pump. I did a quick fix and it is holding. It will get done with the rest of this thread during the lift and several little other things.

On my pump Don. There is some anemia I'm sure, but actual cardio is out. It swells around and above the ankles, not all the way up. Just moving around the pool makes em hurt, but that is playing with the kids. You can see blood pooling above the heals, there is some real damage in there.

My bike is the best bet right now. I have dropped 25+ so far, but have a good 30 to go, but working on it. Even on the camping trips, I can keep up with the kids cept for the ankle/foot pain. Not to say I am in great shape, but I don't fall on my face either. They said I need it scoped now and the tech was on vaca until 8-1, so its time.

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Retired LEO Lifetime NRA+ Outcast in Calif

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants"

Heard a little clicking under the front last week at camp with the boys. For some reason I just didn't think of looking into it until I heard again up Ice House (near the Rubicon) I check it quick up there and find the upper left ball joint is sloppy, again! I had replaced it 2 years ago after a Shasta trip >:(

SO pull it down and say what the heck and do them both, but used spicer instead of moog this time. Also decided to do the idler and add the Cognito steering brace I have had a for a couple years ::)

I also find this rip in the HD Cognito tie rod boot as it rubbed on the sway bar. Now I have the Cognito sway bar kit which is supposed to address this, but it is still a little to close. The easy fix here a stack of washers under the mount, and we are good!

Then I get to the ball joints. These are spicer units sold by Napa. I have never used the included bolts as a 5/16 fits in there just fine vs the 1/4 crap. Torque em to 30ft lbs and you are ready to go. The lower bolt gets 90ft lbs.

Home made tool for checking toe: piece of scrap electical conduit and weld 12" - 18" long 1" wide thin sheet metal thick enough to hold itself straight but thin enough to bend by hand. You keep the pipe flat on the floor and use the flat stock to check the toe front and back at spindle height on tire. You cut the pipe to a length that suits your needs, or you can rig up an adjustable length one.